Government of India sanctioned 1000 crore rupees for the laying of 15.06 km long tracks to connect Indian Railways with Bangladesh through the North East.
The Indo-Bangla Rail link would be completed by 2017 and the entire route will be constructed by IRCON.
Out of 15.06 km length connecting Agartala with Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh, 3.7 km would comprise of elevated corridor.
What is the Significance?
The completion of the project would reduce the distance from Agartala to Kolkata from 1650 km to 515 km and difficult hilly terrain could be avoided.
It will also improve trade and commerce between the North-East region of India and Bangladesh and enhance people to people contact
Background of the decision
The project is the result of discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina during the Modi’s visit to Dhaka from 6 June to 7 June 2015.